Results 7,981-8,000 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The person named was due to submit a consolidated plan with the 1C form that was lodged in December 2007. The consolidated plan was not submitted to my Department until 21st February 2008 and the application was then processed. I would expect the person named to receive payment within the next few weeks.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: There is no delay in making REPS payments to farmers in Co Wicklow. There were thirteen farmers from Wicklow on the last pay-run, and this cleared all valid applications for payment up to 21st April 2008.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The person named is an applicant under the Farm Improvement Scheme. Applications under this Scheme are being processed by my Department up to the level of funding provided for the Scheme in the 2006 Partnership agreement, Towards 2016. The application concerned is, therefore, eligible for consideration and will be processed subject to funding still being available at that time.

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (24 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988. Day-to-day operational matters such as the procurement of harvesting and haulage services and issues concerning the measurement and valuation of timber volume prior to sale are the responsibility of the company.

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Protection: Fishing Industry Protection (24 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The anti-dumping measures, which create a minimum import price for farmed salmon entering the EU market from Norway, have been in place since early 2006. These measures have brought price stability to the market following proven dumping by Norway. This market stability has led to renewed investor confidence in Irish companies. The trade measures are now under threat due mainly to the strong...

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (24 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Ireland was allocated EU funding of €42 million for the 2007-2013 European Fisheries Fund. To maximise the benefits of this funding it is being specifically targeted at a small number of Co-Financed measures under the pillars of AXIS 1,2 AND 3, most notably the fleet decommissioning scheme which I launched in February. A draft operational programme setting out specific proposals has been...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (24 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: This is not an issue for which I have responsibility as Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries as the condition referred to by the Deputy is not a condition imposed by the Forest Service of my Department.

Written Answers — Fishing Fleet Modernisation: Fishing Fleet Modernisation (24 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: All fishermen are eligible to undertake Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) training programmes including those serving on vessels that are decommissioning. In this regard, BIM and FÁS have agreed to co-operate to provide training for fishing vessel crew members that find themselves without a job when their fishing vessel is decommissioned. Both agencies will work closely together to provide...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The requirement to make all payments under EU funded or co-funded schemes directly into bank accounts arises under EU Council Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005 which lays down the rules on the financing and management of the Common Agricultural Policy for the period 2007 to 2013. The detailed implementing rules as set out in EU Commission Regulation (EC) 885/2006, require that all EU paying...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The person named received his first Early Retirement pension payment in March 2007. As no notice of tax credits was received, tax was assessed on an emergency basis. In January 2008 a notice of tax credits was received and applied. The level of net monthly pension payment has remained constant since this time.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (24 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: At the end of March, 267 posts had moved to the Department's offices in Portlaoise under the decentralisation programme, 12 of which were in 2008. At the end of March, 81 posts had moved to the Department's offices in Clonakilty under the decentralisation programme, 1 of which was in 2008.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (29 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: My Department is currently responsible for the administration of the Foreshore Act 1933, which regulates activity on or affecting the State's foreshore. The Government decided on 2 October 2007 that responsibility for foreshore licensing functions under the Foreshore Act 1933 in respect of port companies and harbour authorities governed by the Harbours Acts 1946, 1996 and 2000 and any other...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (29 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 304 and 315 together. A good deal of work has already been undertaken and significant progress has been made on drafting the new Animal Health and Welfare Bill and I intend to initiate a process of public consultation by publishing a consultation paper and inviting submissions from interested parties and other stakeholders. The Bill will be a comprehensive...

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (29 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: In 1961 the former Irish Land Commission purchased some 96 acres of land from the person named. The fee simple of this land was subsequently given back to him for a nominal sum. Turbary rights over the land were disposed of, over time, to 41 individuals who now have legitimate title to these rights. The resolution of any turbary issues is a private matter between the parties involved.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The total package negotiated in the context of the reform of the EU sugar regime was worth in excess of €310m to Ireland. The first element is the compensation for the reduction in the minimum price of beet which is worth approximately €123m to Irish beet growers over seven years. It has been already incorporated in the Single Payment with effect from 2006. The second element is the EU...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (29 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The person named submitted a REPS 4 application in November 2007. His REPS 4 plan will commence on 1 December 2007 and payment in respect of 2007 will therefore be for one month. It will be paid as soon as possible following some necessary changes to my Department's computer system which are currently under way. As all REPS 4 contracts will in future have an anniversary date of 1 January,...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (29 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The criteria for planting are based on the Forestry Schemes Manual, a comprehensive suite of environmental guidelines including fisheries, landscape, archaeology, biodiversity, harvesting and forest protection, and the Code of Best Forest Practice (all available on the Department's website). The criteria vary from site to site and each application is examined by the Forest Service for...

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (29 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Under EU rules, my Department is obliged to make all payments under EU funded or co-funded schemes, including pension payments under the Early Retirement Scheme, directly by electronic fund transfer into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries as and from 16 October 2008, the commencement of the 2009 EU financial year. The existing situation in which payments may issue by cheque will continue...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (29 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The person named applied for REPS 4 in February 2008. Farmers who submitted valid applications in February will start their REPS 4 contracts on 1 March 2008. They will receive 75% of a payment in respect of ten months when all administrative checks for REPS and the 2008 Single Payment Scheme are completed. The remaining 25% payment will go out when the last of the year's REPS on-farm...

Written Answers — Coastal Protection: Coastal Protection (29 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: My Department's position with regard to Cromane remains as outlined in my reply to PQ No. 162 dated 3rd April, 2008 which is set out as follows. The Glasha embankments near Cromane Lower were the responsibility of The Land Commissioners until the implementation of the Irish land Commission (Dissolution) Act, 1992. My Department has, however, agreed to provide funding for the development of...